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5 Staple Dishes you cannot miss while in Peru

All right, now everything is set for your Peru trip, you got your flights, your accommodation, all the transportation you will need is booked and you can just relax before you leave. Meanwhile we suggest to start getting into Peruvian culture learning some Spanish words essential to survive during your trip, learn about Peruvian culture and start checking on restaurants to book for lunch or dinner, dishes you wanna try, market you do not want to miss. As you already know Peruvian cuisine is one of the most popular and well-known in the world and I am pretty sure that one of the things you do not want to miss is tasting a good ceviche and get to know the wonder and gems of our food culture. Here a list of dishes you must tr before leaving Peru.

Ceviche: This is the most popular Peruvian dish in the world. Many times, when we talk about Peru with a foreigner, then we end up talking about ceviche and its amazing and delicious taste. If you want to try the traditional ceviche we suggest to do it in Lima, since the dish is from the coastal region of Peru. Also remember that the fish used for making ceviche has to be extremely fresh. Since fishmen boats goes out very early in the morning and go back before lunch, restaurants in Lima serve ceviche only for lunch. Even tough you could find ceviche at night in some restaurants, it is not very common.

Lomo saltado: This dish comes from the union of Peruvian tradition and Chinese cuisine. The dish is made of marinated strips of sirloin, or other beef steak, red onion, tomatoes, Peruvian yellow aji chilies, French fries, served with rice, cooked at Peruvian style. The combination of ingredients create a unique flavors, you will love it! This dish is pretty easy to find in any restaurant and Peruvian very often eat it for lunch during the week.

Causa: This is considered an appetizer but it is a very reach dish, made of Peruvian yellow potatoes, avocado (we call it palta), mayonnaise and an ingredient of your choice. That means that it could be chicken, vegetables, prawns, tuna. The combination of flavors is delicious.

Aji de gallina: this is a chicken-based dish and usually Peruvians eat during the week at least once. Also expats and visitors love it for its amazing taste. It’s a spicy and creamy chicken stews served with Peruvian style steam rice and a boiled egg. In some restaurants you can also find black olives on top.

Papas a la Huancayna: this is also considered a starter, very common in restaurants and street stalls. Sliced of boiled Peruvian potatoes topped with a velvety sauce made of yellow aji pepper, evaporated milk, oil, fresh cheese and crackers. The name comes from the fact that traditionally the potatoes used to prepare the dish came from Huancayo area in the region called Junin.

What are you waiting for? Come to Peru and taste our traditional cuisine.

On 11 enero, 2022 • By magicalblog

Peru• Travel Tips• What to do

Five Places to buy a Delicious Turron de Doña Pepa

October is the “mes morado” in Lima, it can be translated in English as “purple month”, and it is a holy month to celebrate the Señor de los Milagros, one of the most important religious festivals in the country. You can notice people dressed in purple as an offer to the patron during the month. A traditional sweet eaten during the Señor de Los Milagros celebration is the traditional Turrón de Doña Pepa. The turrón has become Peruvian family’s favorite treat and also travelers and expats love it.

In October the turron starts appearing in the pastry shop’s shelves, in the grocery stores, in the food stalls. It’s a sticky anise-flavored pastry, filled with “chancaca” syrup (a sort of honey) and topped with colorful candies and sprinkles. It’s a sort of eternal dessert, Peruvians love traditions!

Here a list of places where you can buy a delicious turrón de Doña Pepa if you happen to be in Peru in October.

Pastelería San Martín

This historic pastry shop is located very close to the Plaza San Martín, it was open in 1930 and it is a mandatory stop if you want to taste a delicious turron de Doña Pepa in Lima’s downtown.

Pastelería Italo

This pastry shop is also very old, it was opened 40 years ago in Magdalena district in Lima, today it also has a branch in Callao Monumental. It offers a wide variety of tasty desserts, but it is its turron de Doña Pepa the most delicious and popular dessert on its menu.

Antigua Panadería Huérfanos de Lima

The turron de Doña Pepa of this traditional pastry shop stands out for its dough and flavor, which makes the shop a mandatory stop during the “purple month”. The place is located in Lima downtown.

Turron Isabel

Made with fruit honey and an original recipe since 1947, this turrón de Doña Pepa is one of the most traditional in Lima downtown.

La Bonbonniere

This place has become another favorite of Limeños to taste their turrón de Doña Pepa. The dough and the syrup used create a perfect combination of flavors, which will make you want to try more. You can find La Bonbonniere in several Lima’s district.

On 4 noviembre, 2021 • By magicalblog

Food• Peru• Travel• What to do

Best Outdoor Dining Experiences in Lima

COVID-19 has changed several aspects of our lives, and it has also changed our dining habits. We now prefer outdoor restaurants and dining places to the fancy indoor restaurants, since we definitely feel safer there. That is why we want to give you some of the best outdoor dining options in Lima, so that you can enjoy our delicious food without any risk and being able to fully enjoy the dining experience. Yes, that is what it’s about, having a meal in one of these restaurants is a true life-changing “experience”.

Huaca Pucllana Restaurant (https://www.facebook.com/restauranthuacapucllana): this restaurant is merged into an ancient pre-Incan Huaca, located in the middle of Miraflores district. You will dine outdoor with a stunning view of the Huaca enjoying delicious traditional food with a modern twist. The site is charmingly illuminated at night, so we suggest to have a romantic dinner there.

Osaka (https://www.facebook.com/OsakaOficial): when in Lima do not lose the opportunity to try Nikkei cuisine, a fusion between Peruvian and Japanese food. The result is an amazing mixture of tastes, savors and textures. You will definitely love it. This restaurant is one of the best places to have a real Nikkei experience and get to know it. The restaurant is located in San Isidro district.

Astrid & Gastón (https://www.facebook.com/AstridyGastonLima): You cannot live Lima without dining at this restaurant if you are a foodie. Here you can catch the real essence of Peruvian food. Do not forget to try their delicious drinks as well.

La Plazita (https://www.facebook.com/laplazitalima): this is a more casual option, where ou can find gourmet Peruvian traditional food in the heart of Miraflores district. This is a real win-win option for lunch if you want to try Peruvian cuisine in a casual atmosphere.

La Lucha Sanguchería (https://www.facebook.com/laluchasangucheriacriolla): Are you more in fast food style dining experience? You do not want something too fancy and you’re looking for comfort food and fast meal? This is the perfect option for you. The chain has several points in the main Lima’s districts. This is a sort of Peruvian fast-food, where you can taste delicious sandwiches, native fried potatoes or sweet potatoes, that we call camote, and delicious juices and shakes with local fruits. We definitely recommend his option if you are looking for a real Peruvian experience. Many locals dine there as well during the week.

Cebichería La Mar (https://www.facebook.com/LaMarCebicheriaPeruanaLima): this is not a suggestion, but take it more as an order: do not live Lima without tasting a real ceviche. Ceviche is the traditional dish from Peruvian coast, made of marinated fish, Peruvian boiled corn and sweet potatoes. At this historical restaurant you can taste the real essence of Peruvian ceviche, as well as other delicious seafood dishes. The restaurant is located in Miraflores district.